How to know you hired a state approved, insured, and licensed contractor

Weather your buying your first home, making upgrades, or just wanted to make sure your current home is electrically safe, there is one big question that is going to be on your mind. How do I know I am picking the right electrician?

Whether  you’re buying your first home, making upgrades, or just wanted to make sure your current home is electrically safe, there is one big question that is going to be on your mind. How do I know I am picking the right electrician? A couple of things go into play on what makes a true licensed electrical contractor. Let’s first talk about each electrical license from lowest to highest and what do they mean.

NOTE – All electricians must work under a licensed electrical contractor

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

Individual License Types

Apprentice Electrician – This license is for someone who is in training or under the supervision of a higher electrical license or electrical contractor’s license. This license does not require any kind of state electrical exam or electrical knowledge to hold. It is a requirement by the state that an apprentice work under a company holding an electrical contractors license. It is also a strong recommendation that an apprentice should be supervised in the field by a higher electrical license holder.

Wireman Electrician – This license is for someone who has been in the trade for a minimum of two years working in residential homes as an apprentice electrician and has completed a state required wireman’s electrical exam. It is a requirement by the state that a wireman electrician work under a company holding an electrical contractor’s license.  This license is only for residential electrician. This license type is not qualified to do work on commercial buildings unless worked under a class of apprentice.

Journeyman Electrician – This license is for someone who has been in the trade for a minimum of 4 years working as a residential or commercial apprentice electrician and has completed a state required journeyman’s exam. It is a requirement by the state that a journeyman electrician work under a company holding an electrical contractor’s license. This license approves the electrician for commercial and residential work.

Master Electrician – This license is for someone who has held a journeyman’s electrical license for at least two years, and has been in the trade for a minimum of six years, and has passed a state required masters electrical exam.  It is a requirement by the state that a master electrician work under a company holding an electrical contractor’s license. A master electrician can be the acting electrical contractor. This license approves the electrician for commercial and residential work.

Electrical Contractor – To hold an electrical contractors license you must be an established company. This means you hold a minimum of $300,000 liability insurance. You must have a listed master electrician. An active license helps the state ensure that the company has insurance and a master’s license overseeing all work.

So how can this all be researched?

First, Research the company. Do they have reviews online? Are they an established company? Were they are referral from friends or family?

Second, All company vehicles are required by the state to have the company name posted as well as the contractor’s license number for verifications

Third, ask for a verification of license. All electricians are required to carry an electrical license showing their license type as well as an expiration date. Please reference the info above depending on which license they present.

Fourth, ask for a verification of active liability insurance. This should be available to all electricians in the field for verification or the office staff should be able to send you a copy. An extra step can be taken by calling the listed insurance company and make sure the policy is still active.

5th, Jump on TDLR “Texas Department of License and Regulations” website and verify the electrical license and contractor’s license.  https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

To Sum Up

At the end of the day no matter if you are using 5^th Generation Electric LLC or another company make sure you are protected and you are actually using an established company with the proper licenses and insurance.

Feel free to contact the owner of 5^th Generation Electric LLC with any questions or assistance in any of the items discussed above. We are here to help

Eddie Nichols

Owner

5^th Generation Electric LLC

214-728-1977 – Cell

TECL #31727